Sweden Proposes Stricter Citizenship Requirements

New rules would increase residency requirements, mandate tests, and emphasize adherence to Swedish values.

Sweden's government plans to raise the residency requirement for citizenship from five to eight years, pending approval of a proposed reform.
Applicants would need to pass a language test and a values-based exam focused on Swedish society and culture.
The reform introduces a requirement for 'honorable behavior,' disqualifying individuals with criminal records or significant debts.
Swedish officials argue the changes aim to foster a unified national identity while maintaining the country's core values, such as gender equality and individual freedoms.
Critics, including human rights organizations, warn that stricter criteria could hinder integration and increase societal exclusion.